Loose-leaf book or binder.



J. P. MENTZER.

LOOSE LEAF BOOK OB BINDER. I

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22. 1917.

1,289,221 Patented Dec. 31, 1918.

mums rsrzrs m. HGJYD-LIMD mum-musk u L JOHN P. MENTZER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LOOSE-LEAF BOOK OR BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 31, 1918.

Application filed May 22, 1917. Serial No. 170,181.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN P. MENTZER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in'the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Loose-Leaf Books or Binders, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to loose leaf books or binders, and especially to a form thereof in which there is a cover and two or more clasping devices by which loose leaves may be held in position in the cover and removed and replaced at will.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple, practical and efficient loose leaf book or binder.

Other objects of the invention are to simplify the construction and reduce the cost of manufacture; to arrange for the quick and easy operation of the device, to

permit the withdrawal and removal of loose leaves; and to accomplish the foregoing and other desirable results in a simple and practical manner.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is an end elevation of a loose leaf book or binder embodying my invention, the same being in an open condition with the two parts of the cover separated and laid back;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with the leaves removed;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of one of the clasping devices in an open condition;

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one of said devices in a closed condition;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 55 in Fig. 1;

Figs. 6 and 7 are views of details of construction.

Referring to the drawings I show a loose leaf book or binder provided with a cover having the two sides 1 and 2 and a connecting more or less flexible back 3. Loose leaves 4 are shown mounted in the device. For holding the loose leaves in position and permitting their withdrawal and reinsertion I show a plurality of clasping devices 5-5 which are mounted upon the cover back 3. I have shown two of these devices 5 in use, but of course the number may be varied. Each device is preferably made of sheet metal and has a bow-shaped body portion 5 and inturned flanges or edge portions 5*.

The body portions are conveniently provided with apertures 7, through which fastening devices 8 such vas screws or rivets, may be passed to secure said clasps to the cover back 3. These clasps 5 are suitably separated from one another and located at desirable points along the back of the book cover so as to engage the loose leaves to the best advantage.

Each clasp 5 has a pair of ring or hook members 8 and 9, the two together forming a separable or openable ring or hook device. The lower portions of these members 8 and 9 are bent or doubled back so as to form the end pieces or shanks 10 and 11, respectively. Each member 8 has its curved portion between its body portion and its shank 10 cut away or reduced so as to form a tongue 12, (Figs. 1 and 5). Each member 9 has the corresponding curved portion cut away or recess 13 capable of receiving the tongue 12 of the associated member 8. This tongue and socket arrangement forms a pivotal joint or connection by which the members 8 and 9 may be swung so as to open and close. The ends of the shanks 10 and 11 are of such length as to extend under the flanges 5 of the clasp 5 and are provided with meansby which they may engage said clasp, a convenient arrangement being to provide each shank with a pair of pins 14 (Figs. 4 and 6) and to form corresponding apertures in the curved portion of the clasp 5 between the body portion 5 and flanges 5 so that the pins or rojections 14; may enter said apertures. and thus hold the ring members 8 and 9 in position. The arrangement is such that when the members 8 and 9 are closed as shown in Fig. 1, the shanks 10 and 11 are buckled downwardly toward the body 5. When said members 8 and 9 are separated as in Fig. 3, the shanks 10 and 11 are in substantial alinement with one another. This has the effect of separating the edges of the body 5" farther apart due to the spring quality of the sheet metal of which the same is formed, and thus the clasp is subjected to a tension or spring strain while the members 8 and 9 are in this position. Inasmuch as said shanks 10 and 11 are in alinement how ever, said spring tension or strain is exerted directly on the ends of the shanks 10 and 11 and is not effective to change the position of said shanks 10 and 11, so that as a result the members 8 and 9 remain open.

at the center so as to form a socket WVhen, however, the members 8 and 9 are moved toward one another they close with a snap, due to the spring action of the body or base 5, pushing upon the ends of the shanks l0 and 11, and thereby accelerating the movement of the same as the members 8 and 9 spring together and as said shanks 10 and 11 move downwardly toward the body orbase. In this way there is a quick and effective snap action when the members 8 and 9 are opened and also when they are closed. .The'flanges 5 tend to limit the upward movement of the shanks 10 and 11 and so'prevent the undue opening of'the members 8 and 9 when said members are swung apart.

It will be seen that the number of parts is very small indeed, reduced possibly to the minimum number of parts which can be used in a device of this sort. There is simply the base 5 with the two ring members 8 and 9, making'altogether only three parts outside of the rivets or screws which are used to fasten the clasps made upof these parts to the cover. There are no additional. members for limiting the upward or downward movement of the shanks 10 and 11, nor any additional members for holding the members 8 and '9 in position, or against removal from the device, nor are there any springs or spring clips added for the purpose of spring action. Each clasp can be operated sepprocesses.

arately Or independently, and the two together have but little metal in them. The few members which there are may be easily and quickly made by inexpensive mechanical Thus it will be seen that not only I is the device simple, but at the same time it can be made in large quantities at very low expense.

It will be understood that changes and,

modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

(lopie's of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the p 2. A device of the class specified having a clasp device provided with a spring base member constructed with longitudinally extending inwardly projecting flanges, a pair of ring members provided with means for interlocking and forming a pivotal connection with one another, said ring members also having shanks extending outwardly from their interlocking connection to the edges of the base member and engaging the same, said shanks extending underneath the flanges of the base member-and having their ends provided with projections adapted to fit in apertures in said base member. Y

v3. A device of-the class specified having its back provided with a plurality of clasp members, each comprising a base member and a pair of ring members constructed-to engage and interlock with one another and held in position by the base member, each of said clasp members being independently secured to the back of the book cover and the ring members thereof being independently operable. In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 7th day of March, A. D., 1917.

- JOHN P. MENTZER. WVitnesses: V I

T. LYMAN,

B. KUHLs.

Commissioner of. Patents,

Washington, D. 0. 

